Molding strip

ABSTRACT

This invention and this disclosure are directed to a molding strip and more particularly to a molding strip employed to support a translucent or transparent member. This disclosure is especially related to the use of the molding strip as a means of holding a translucent member wherein the strip is in a predetermined configuration, especially in the form of an alphabet letter outline. Thus, this invention&#39;&#39;s use resides primarily in the field of sign letters and mounting means therefor. The strip of this invention has a curved end to support an end of the translucent or transparent member and on the front viewable edge is provided with light-reflective material.

United States Patent Shanok et al.

[54] MOLDING STRIP [72] Inventors: Victor Shanok; Jeae P. Slnnok, both of [211 App1.No.: 3.132

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[56] References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS Bank ..40l140 X 1451 Julyll, 1972 Primary Examiner-Robert W. Michell Assistant Examiner-Richard Carter Anon1e 1--Friedman & Goodman 1 1 ABSTRACT This invention and this disclosure are directed to a molding strip and more particularly to a molding stn'p employed to support a translucent or transparent member. This disclosure is especially related to the use of the molding strip as a means of holding a translucent member wherein the strip is in a predetemiined configuration, especially in the form of an alphabet letter outline. Thus, this inventions use resides primarily in the field of sign letters and mounting means therefor. The strip of this invention has a curved end to support an end of the translucent or transparent member and on the front viewable edge is provided with light-reflective material.

5Chlm40rawingflgures P'A'TENTEDJUL 1 I 1912 \mtoz' Shanok ami Jesse l". Shana INVENTOR.

FIG.

FIGZ.

MOLDING STRIP BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1 Field of the Invention This invention resides in the molding field and, more especially, that portion of the molding field devoted to sign lettering and display. More particularly, this invention relates to a molding functioning to support a translucent or transparent material whereby a forwardly or rearwardly disposed source of illumination causes the supported member to be illuminated in the form of a figure or a letter.

2. Discussion of the Prior Art The utilization of means for supporting translucent members used in illuminated signs is old. Such means originally took the form of metal molding strips but with the advent of plastic have given way to this new and commercially valuable field of materials. Prior art devices are relatively simple and have involved a member tapered or curved at its end over itself so as to support by virtue of the formation of a lip a translucent material. A rearwardly located light source is utilized to project through the translucent letter fonn and display the formed letter.

Due to the rearward position of the light source, it was possible for light to leak" through the molding strip at the bend: This gave light illumination from parts of the sign elsewhere from the translucent member. Further, there is always a need for an independent light source when employed in the prior art rearwardly with respect to a forwardly viewed letter.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION It is an object of this invention, therefore, to provide a new and improved molding strip particularly suitable in supporting translucent or transparent members and suitable for taking the configuration of a letter.

It is another object of this invention, therefore, to provide such a new and unique molding strip which may be outlined from a light source disposed in front of the viewable face of the letter.

It is still another object of this invention, therefore, to provide a plastic molding strip satisfying the above objects.

It is yet another object of this invention, therefore, to provide such a plastic molding strip around a translucent letter from which may more easily be seen than prior art devices.

These and other objects and advantages of this invention will become apparent from the following description of the invention taken in view of the accompanying drawings and appended claims.

STATEMENT OF THE INVENTION Broadly, this invention contemplates a molding strip for use in sign lettering which comprises an elongated strip having a front and a rear edge with a light-reflective material being located on the front edge permitting the letter to be easily displayed with a forwardly disposed light source.

In a particularly desirable embodiment, this invention contemplates a molding strip for use in sign lettering which comprises an elongated strip having a curved edge over the width dimension thereof adaptable to support a translucent or transparent member at its edge, said strip provided on the viewable face of the letter with a layer of a light-reflective material encapsulated within a protective plastic coating.

In a still more desirable embodiment of this invention, the molding strip is a case supported transparent plastic molding strip with the light-reflective material adhering to the front edge of the core and the curved edge being integral with the main portion of the strip.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS The invention will be more readily understood and appreciated by reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:

FIG. I is a perspective view of a letter structure with a partial breakaway of the structure illustrating the principles of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a sectional view taken along lines 22 of FIG. I

FIG. 3 is a fragmentary sectional view of the laminated layers of the stripping which fits around the perimetrical edges of a letter form.

FIG. 4 is a fragmentary sectional view of the stripping showing the light-reflecting glass beads.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS Although block letter E 10 is illustrated with the principles of the present invention. it is understood that other symbols may advantageously be employed. The perimetrical edge 12 of a block letter form 14 formed of a generally flat opaque. transparent or translucent material tightly fitted with a frame 16 fabricated, preferably with a plastic plate or cast of Plexiglas, of a molding strip material 17 capable of being bent. The strip material generally is a lamination or extrusion having a core 18 being provided with an inturned flange 20 about its front outer edge and a raw back edge 22. A light-reflecting material 24 faces the inturned flange 20 at the front outer edge of the core and the core and its reflective ply are held within a clear or translucent protective plastic material 26. Well-known techniques may be employed to cause a firm and securely held assembly by providing a firm bond between the reflective material 24, the core 18, and the plastic material 26. Plastic material 26 permits the light-reflective material to be seen from the front of the letter and, preferably. is weather-re sistant preventing moisture intrusion or entrapment. Lightreflective material 24, preferably, readily adheres to the core 18 and plastic material 26. The reflective material may be fabricated by any of well-known techniques, and, for example, may comprise an opaque film with a plurality of light-reflecting glass beads 25 adhering thereto. Preferably, thin Mylar"- type films may be employed minimizing the thickness of the light-reflective material. The reflective material should be opaque and highly reflective when viewed through plastic material 26. Any color may be chosen for the opaque finish of the light-reflective material, and an interesting effect may be achieved by the use of a colored transparent or translucent plastic coating material 26. Core 18 is a flexible sheet, such as aluminum. The molding strip is flexible enough to permit severe bends such as at 28 and 30 and still retain its protective characteristics.

As may be seen from FIG. 1, the light reflective material is located along the front perimeter of the viewable face of the letter structure. The rear plastic face 32 of molding 17 provides sufficient contact surface permitting the letter to be attached by means of a suitable adhesive to a supporting surface (not shown). The shape of the plastic protective coating 26 is provided with an inturned edge 34 over the width dimension of strip 17 at the rear of the front portion of the strip of sufficient area enabling the molding strip 17 to be attached to the front edge of the face of letter form 14.

FIG. 3 illustrates the plurality of plies or layers forming the present strip molding, and the members thereof are identified corresponding to the aforedescribed layers.

In accordance with a feature of the present invention, the light-reflective material appearing at the viewing face of the letter will reflect any light directed towards the front face independent of the direction of the light. In this manner, con straints and inefficiencies obtained with prior art rearwardly placed light sources is obviated, and frequently, a separate light source will not be required. Since the letter form may be transparent or translucent, when the composite letter from 10 is used in relatively well lighted areas, such as found in cities or along roads, the light-reflective material will inherently project the letter to be visible to the stroller or motorist.

The uncoated strip can have any suitable thickness. dimen sion or conformation. The encapsulated core 18 suitably has a thickness of the order of 0.002 inch. Thus, for example, an

aluminum foil of approximately 0.002 inch may be readily encapsulated by the process of US. Pat. No. 3,245,864 within a shell of cellulose acetate or cellulose acetate butyrate in clear or tinted form to produce a rigid body of strip material which very closely resembles in appearance a chromium plated brass or gold strip. Other foils and other plastic materials can be employed.

It is apparent that the instant invention provides a significant improvement in strip material, particularly strip material for use in sign lettering. By providing a special light-reflective material along the viewable face of the letter, the instant invention overcomes the problems attendant with the use of prior art type strip materials. It is further apparent that the instant invention accomplishes the objects set forth above.

The terms and expressions used herein are terms of description and not of limitation as there is no intention, in the use of such terms and expressions, of excluding any equivalents, or portions thereof, within the scope of the protection available to the invention by this patent application.

I claim:

1. A molding strip for surrounding a character, the character including front and rear faces of selected configuration and a peripheral extent which separates said front and rear faces from one another, said front face being disposed for viewing, said molding strip comprising a composite assembly, said composite assembly including a first elongated strip of metallic foil of a prescribed width and substantially 0.002 inches in thickness, said first strip being provided with a longitudinal flanged end portion, a second elongated strip of film provided with a plurality of light-reflecting glass beads adheringihereto to define a light-reflective material having a lesser width than said first elongated strip and disposed in a superposed position on said flanged end portion of said first elongated strip, said first and second elongated strips being substantially of equal length, an elongated flexible transparent plastic body constituted of cellulose acetate butyrate in an encapsulating position about said first and second elongated strips, said plastic body having a continuous extent overlying said peripheral extent of said character, said plastic body including end portions overlying edges of said front face of said character, said end portion including a flat surface and a rounded surface, said flat surface serving as a ledge for directly contacting said front face said second elongated strip and said flanged end portion of said first elongated strip being disposed in said body end portions with said second elongated strip exposed to view when viewing said front face of said character, whereby said second elongated strip outlines said character for display by reflecting light impinging on said second elongated strip.

2. A molding strip according to claim 1, wherein said lightreflective material is opaque.

3. A molding strip according to claim 1, wherein said first strip of metallic foil is aluminum.

4. A molding strip according to claim 1, wherein said character is opaque.

5. A molding strip according to claim 1, wherein said character permits light to pass therethrough.

* s s a s 

1. A molding strip for surrounding a character, the character including front and rear faces of selected configuration and a peripheral extent which separates said front and rear faces from one another, said front face being disposed for viewing, said molding strip comprising a composite assembly, said composite assembly including a first elongated strip of metallic foil of a prescribed width and substantially 0.002 inches in thickness, said first strip being provided with a longitudinal flanged end portion, a second elongated strip of Mylar film provided with a plurality of light-reflecting glass beads adhering thereto to define a light-reflective material having a lesser width than said first elongated strip and disposed in a superposed position on said flanged end portion of said first elongated strip, said first and second elongated strips being substantially of equal length, an elongated flexible transparent plastic body constituted of cellulose acetate butyrate in an encapsulating position about said first and second elongated strips, said plastic body having a continuous extent overlying said peripheral extent of said character, said plastic body including end portions overlying edges of said front face of said character, said end portion including a flat surface and a rounded surface, said flat surface serving as a ledge for directly contacting said front face said second elongated strip and said flanged end portion of said first elongated strip being disposed in said body end portions with said second elongated strip exposed to view when viewing said front face of saiD character, whereby said second elongated strip outlines said character for display by reflecting light impinging on said second elongated strip.
 2. A molding strip according to claim 1, wherein said light-reflective material is opaque.
 3. A molding strip according to claim 1, wherein said first strip of metallic foil is aluminum.
 4. A molding strip according to claim 1, wherein said character is opaque.
 5. A molding strip according to claim 1, wherein said character permits light to pass therethrough. 